Tsudoi epitomises the cutting edge of opulent ski chalet architecture for modern Niseko clientele invested in the area.
This is the second home to be completed in Elevation Estate – one of Hirafu’s prime new addresses located on the eastern flank of the village under the Hirafu gondola – master-planned by one of Japan’s pre-eminent architects, Kengo Kuma.
The six-bedroom chalet’s owners are a vibrant Hong Kong family and long-time Niseko visitors who wanted to create a permanent holiday home here. The chalet’s name Tsudoi roughly translates to mean a warm gathering of close friends and family. Thanks to the involvement of two siblings and their mother in the design process, Tsudoi is a name that captures the feeling of the house very well.
”Renowned Hokkaido architect Endo Atelier was given a brief to “build a house that sets a new standard in Niseko.”
Project manager West Canada Homes’ Paul Nikel describes the style as contemporary rustic, with a heavy balance of wood against seemingly soft walls of concrete, stone and steel. No expense has been spared tailoring the retreat for seamless holiday experiences, starting with a huge ‘genkan’ entrance designed for ease of arrival for large groups, and wheelchair accessibility. A steel-panel feature wall (with hidden utilities and domestic helper’s rooms concealed beyond) greets guests, while adjoining the space is one of Niseko’s most stylish ski rooms, momentarily separated by an automatic sliding glass door. A fully equipped gym is tucked away nearby.
An elevator or staircase leads to the second floor living area – home to kitchen and dining alongside a sunken lounge with gas fireplace, and an adjacent media room. Mt Yotei is present throughout the entire floor via huge floor-to-4m-ceiling windows wrapping around the space – the ultimate après and dinner entertaining venue. Heading upstairs transports guests to their own private retreats via a wide staircase with an amazing wall of windows looking directly out into forest – despite being minutes from the centre of bustling Hirafu, the journey up this staircase makes you feel like you’re a world away. Bedrooms enjoy either a Zen-like framed view of the forest or Mt Yotei.
The home has been designed as a four-seasons retreat, and the forest surrounding the property is perhaps even more spectacular in summer and autumn, when either dense green or a patchwork of reds, yellows and browns fill the house. An outdoor dining area with concrete table and benches surrounding a fire pit under the view of Mt Yotei is a spectacular place to spend time in Niseko’s great outdoors.
This article appeared in Powderlife 2020
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